One of the Main Indigestion Causes: Lack of Digestive Enzymes

If food is not digested properly, it ferments in the stomach and
upper intestine, producing hydrogen, carbon dioxide and organic acids.

These acids don't help digestion but can cause gas and bloating.

Foods
high in complex carbohydrates, such as grain and legumes, are the
primary foods responsible for gas because they are difficult to digest
and therefore are more likely to yield undigested particles on which the
intestinal bacteria act.

Undigested food and bacteria present in the gut can produce toxins that can damage the mucosal lining, causing leaky gut syndrome.

This
condition occurs when particles of undigested food normally eliminated
in the feces pass through tiny rips in the intestinal lining and get
absorbed into the system, causing severe digestive distress.

Psychological factors such as anxiety,
stress, worry or disappointment can disturb the nervous mechanism that
controls the contractions of stomach and intestinal muscles.

Too Much Stomach Acid?

Many consider over-production of stomach acid as one of the many indigestion causes. But is that always the case?

Hydrochloric acid (or HCl), which is produced by glands in the stomach, is absolutely essential for digestion.

It's
necessary for the breakdown of proteins in foods, for the absorption of
certain minerals, as well as for destroying many dangerous
micro-organisms ingested with food.

Without this acid barrier we would be much more susceptible to food-borne diseases.

Insufficient
amounts of HCl can lead to indigestion, particularly with high-protein
meals and the risk of developing food allergies because undigested large
protein molecules are more likely to stimulate allergic reactions in
the small intestine.

Levels of HCl decline with age, which is one reason why more older people suffer with indigestion.

Estimates suggest that as much as half the population over the age of 60 suffers from hydrochloric acid deficiency.

If
you have no heartburn but suffer from regular stomach aches, bloating,
belching and wind after meals, especially associated with protein-rich
foods, you may have this problem.

Another indicator is feeling full shortly after eating or sensation that food is slow to pass from the stomach.

One of the most common reasons for a lack of stomach acid is zinc deficiency (because the production of HCl is dependent on a sufficient intake of zinc).

Stress
also suppresses stomach acid production. This is because when we're
stressed the body channels energy towards the 'fight or flight' response
and away from digestion.

So eating on the move or when you're stressed out is definitely a bad idea and one of the main indigestion causes.

How do you know whether you need more HCl?

The condition of low stomach acid is very easy to misdiagnose because many of the symptoms are similar to those of over-acidity. How do you know which one is causing your problems?

Try this simple test:

Take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.

If it makes your indigestion go away, then you need more stomach acid.

If
it makes the symptoms worse, then you have too much acid and you should
take care not to take any supplements that contain HCl.

Or you
could try a supplement providing 500 mg of betaine hydrochloride and 100
mg of pepsin with each meal for a month (make sure that you don't have
an ulcer - betaine can make it worse!). If your symptoms disappear, then you know your problem is under-production of HCl.

Please Note - See your doctor if:

You have pain at least twice a week or more - it may indicate a peptic ulcer or a disorder of the liver or gallbladder.

Food is hard to swallow or stick to your oesophagus.

You are vomiting or passing black stools.

You are over 45 and are suffering from persistent symptoms.

If
your chest pain is crushing rather than burning or is accompanied by
shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating or pain that radiates to your
arm or jaw. It may be a heart attack - get medical help immediately.